HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini

Blood tests & laboratory information

On the West Coast, laboratory testing is performed by Grey Base Hospital Laboratory, between 7.30 am and 4.30 pm.

Many samples are taken in general practice, but for some tests you may need to go to the laboratory. Expect delays between 12 pm and 2 pm.

You can contact the laboratory by phone on (03) 769‑7400 ext 2797, or by fax on (03) 769‑7797.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

Patient information sheets

• Blood body fluid exposures (BBFE)

  Information about the transmission of blood-borne infections through exposure to infected blood or other body fluids from needle-stick injuries or fluid splashes.

• Early morning urine

  Collecting and storing an early-morning urine sample.

• Faeces collection

  Instructions on how to collect, store and label your faeces (poo) sample.

• Faecal occult bloods (FOB)

  Instructions on preparing for, taking, storing and delivering faecal occult blood samples.

• Fasting tests

  Instructions for tests that require fasting.

• Fine needle aspiration (FNA)

  An explanation of what a fine needle aspiration involves, what it is used for, and how it is done.

• Glucose tolerance test

  Information on preparing for and taking a glucose tolerance test.

• Mid-stream urine (MSU)

  Information about mid-stream urine collection for men and for women.

• MRSA

  How to collect and deliver samples for MRSA testing.

• Paediatric urine collection

  How to take and deliver a baby's urine sample.

• Screen for diabetes in pregnancy

  What's involved in a screening test for diabetes in pregnancy.

• Sperm samples (seminal fluid) – fertility

  Information about the collection of seminal fluid for fertility testing.

• Sperm samples (seminal fluid) – post-vasectomy

  Instructions on preparing for and collecting a post-vasectomy seminal fluid sample.

• Sputum collection for culture

  Information about collecting sputum for culture.

• Sputum collection for cytology

  Instructions on how to collect sputum for cytology testing.

• 24-hour urine collection for 5-HIAA

  Instructions on foods to avoid before testing, and how to collect a 24-hour urine sample.

• 24-hour urine collection

  Instructions for a general 24-hour urine test

• 24-hour urine collection – acid

  Instructions for a 24-hour urine collection test using an acid preservative.

• Urine collection for cytology

  How to collect urine for cytology tests.

Page reference: 208633

Review key: HIBTL-65424